![]() ![]() And the rules changed when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect last year. But you choose to spend your money on them because you love them. By their very nature, hobbies are money-losing ventures. ![]() Since you’re getting taxed on the little bit of income your hobby farm provides, it’d be nice to offset that with deductions to help cover your expenses. So if you trade your wares for other goods and services, the value of what you give and what you receive must be reported on your taxes. That’s where the line between hobby and business blurs, especially when it comes to your taxes.Īlmost all income is taxable, including income from both hobbies and farms. Even if it’s not much, some extra spending money is always nice. Once you start seeing the fruits of your labor, the draw to earn a little cash creeps in. You might not even think about making any money or consider it a far-off dream. You simply want to work some land and reap the rewards of your labor. Get in touch with United Country Real Estate Western Land & Lifestyle Properties to find the perfect hobby farm or homestead property on the Western Slope.Hobby farms typically start in pursuit of a passion or lifestyle. Next time you're looking at hobby farms for sale in Colorado, keep these considerations in mind. It boils down to whether you have a passion for farming and if a small-scale operation is the best way to achieve your goals. When it comes to starting a hobby farm, you have a lot of flexibility. If you want to learn more, check out my blog post, " Understanding Water Rights in Western Colorado." Do You Want to Start a Colorado Hobby Farm? Water rights in Western Colorado are complicated and can make or break your hobby farm. Find out how many shares of water you own, and make sure you have the ditch rights on your property. Whether you plan to grow crops or raise livestock, you'll need plenty of water to irrigate your land. Some cities limit the number of animals you can have or your ability to sell extra produce. Research your local bylaws to determine what you can legally do on your hobby farm. However, not all farmland under 50 acres is zoned for agriculture. Technically, any farmland for sale that's under 50 acres meets the definition of a hobby farm. It's easier to build a livestock pen than a home extension. The house, on the other hand, needs to be move-in ready for you and your family. If you intend to operate your small farm as a hobby, then you have plenty of time to make improvements to the land. With a hobby farm purchase, you should always prioritize the condition of the house. Your real estate broker can help you negotiate with the seller to get the most out of your hobby farm purchase. Sometimes, if a seller is moving across the country, they might be selling some animals too. You might want the seller to leave some machinery, equipment, fences, or pens in place. Negotiating a hobby farm sale in Colorado is more complex than making an offer on a house. But, before you sign the closing papers, make sure you know the answers to the following questions. Long story short, if you have a passion for farming and want to explore it in a state as appealing as Colorado, finding a hobby farm for sale is the first step in the right direction. Hobby farming is not to be confused with homesteading, which means having a fully self-sufficient farming operation without the goal of turning a profit. This might involve raising chickens for farm-fresh eggs or growing a vegetable garden, so you always have organic produce in the fridge. If a hobby farm makes money, that's a bonus.Īlso, while not entirely necessary to fit the definition, many hobby farm owners want to create a certain level of self-sufficiency. The owner or owners of a hobby farm typically have a full-time job or source of income outside of farming. That's where understanding the concept of a hobby farm comes in.Ī hobby farm is exactly what it sounds like: a farm you operate for fun, not for profit. I recently spoke to a buyer who loved the idea of owning land and starting a small farm, but he didn't know if he'd have the time or expertise to turn a profit, especially outside of his day job. One of the biggest misconceptions about owning farmland in Colorado is that you have to make farming your primary source of income. Who doesn't want to work under the beautiful sky every day, experience the changing seasons, and live off your land? Colorado makes it easy to romanticize a self-sufficient lifestyle. ![]()
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